General Electric and Ford Both Make Large Contributions to Electric Vehicle Markets

As the price of oil continues to reach higher and higher figures, electric vehicles have started to look more attractive to consumers, car manufacturers, and companies. Cities and companies alike have taken towards purchasing large electric vehicles fleets as either a preventative measure against rising gas prices or to show that they are willing to adopt green technology. Car manufacturers have been more than happy to oblige them and new models are getting ready to see their moment to shine on the market. Ford, in particular, is preparing to unleash their all new electric vehicle and it will only be a matter of time before they will be seen on city streets across the nation.

In a move that surprised some and pleased others, General Electric announced a few days ago that they planned to purchase 25,000 electric vehicles from General Motors by 2015. General Electric has stated that they plan to convert around half of their sizable vehicle fleet to electric with their initial purchases before they make more buys that will approach an almost total replacement of their 30,000 vehicle fleet. The vehicle General Electric has chosen is Chevrolet Volt, the vehicle that many believe will promise the most competition for the Nissan LEAF that is to be released next month in the United States.

While the decision to convert their fleets to electric vehicles can be seen as a wise move in the overall scheme of things, General Electric is also investing in their own future. The company has been working with electric car charging stations technology for some time now and has even implemented some in certain areas around the nations. In a sense, General Electric is hoping to spur on a more widespread adaptation of the electric vehicle and in turn spread the need for their charging services.

On the other end of the electric vehicle market, Ford announced today that they have pinpointed a date for the release of the all electric Ford Focus. Ford has decided to wait until 2011 to release the Ford Focus on twenty markets that have been specifically chosen to suit the car. The twenty areas that Ford chose are all major cities across the United States, which means that the Focus will have a chance to appeal to a wide range of consumers as it hits the markets. The Ford Focus, which is being hailed as Ford's first electric car, is believed to have a range of around 100 miles and is powered by a twenty three kilowatt lithium ion battery.

In the end, it is moves like the one General Electric has made and the willingness by car manufacturers like Ford to produce electric vehicles that will help push a new era of green transportation and vehicles. As long as the companies keep making and supporting their creations, companies and consumers alike will begin to indulge in electric vehicles.

Photo Credit: Plugin Cars and wired